Water and Environmental Analysis Lab Well Water Testing
WHY TEST A PRIVATE WELL?
Most rural residents rely on private wells for their daily water needs. While private well owners benefit from well construction regulations, they do not benefit from the day-to-day oversight of municipal water systems. Many contaminants that can affect private well water are undetectable by taste, smell, or sight. The only way to determine the safety of a well water supply is to have it tested. Water testing should be routine for private well users since water quality can change over time. The Water and Environmental Analysis Lab works with well owners across Wisconsin and beyond in evaluating the safety and overall water quality of their drinking water.
Testing as easy as 1…2…3
Our testing packages are specifically geared towards the most common health and/or aesthetic concerns in Wisconsin.
The following information will help walk you through the process of testing your private well:
Step 1.
Select your water tests
The state of Wisconsin recommends that private well owners test their well water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrate. However, other tests are important to consider depending on the land use around the well or local geologic considerations. Our testing packages are designed to help you make informed decisions when it comes to managing your household water quality for aesthetics and health.
Step 2.
Request sample bottles
Sample bottles must be requested directly through the lab, either via our website or by calling us directly. Once ordered, bottles and instructions on how to collect your sample can either be mailed to you or picked up in-person from the lab.
Step 3.
Return your sample to the lab
Follow the instructions in the sample kit to either mail your sample or drop it off in-person at the lab.
Please note that the lab will NOT accept samples for Bacteria testing on any Friday or on Jan 19, May 25, Sept 7, Nov 25-27 and Dec 21-31, 2026.
Water WELLness
Managing Your Private Well Water System
Making well informed decisions starts here
Have you ever wondered…
- Where does my well water come from?
- How does a well work?
- What influences my well water quality?
- How do I read a well water test report?
- What can I do to improve my well water quality?
If you have, or if you have ever had questions about your well water system, the Water WELLness guide is for you! Learn how to become your own “Water Utility Manager” from start to finish with this free, self-paced guide. In addition to learning about groundwater in Wisconsin, you will learn how to interpret your test results and improve your well water quality.
Routine testing helps many people feel more confident about using their well water – testing also informs people on steps they can take to improve their water quality and makes it possible to track changes in water quality over time.
What should I test my well for?
Click on the test packages below to learn which tests are included and additional information to help you decide which package(s) may be appropriate depending on your previous testing history, land-use around the well, or taste/staining/odor issues you may be observing.
CHOOSE THIS OPTION IF:
- You have never tested your well water before.
- It has been more than five years since testing your water.
Note: Nitrate + nitrite (N) and metals results from the Comprehensive Homeowner Package may not be used to determine or evaluate compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Contact the lab for assistance if compliance results are needed.
This option includes the following packages:
The contents of each package are available through their individual listing.
- Homeowner Package
- Standard Metals Package
- Pesticide Screen (DACT)
Requires 3 bottles.
This package provides the best value for a large number of common tests for health concerns, aesthetic concerns, and overall water quality.
CHOOSE THIS OPTION IF:
- You are unsure of which tests to perform; this is our basic introductory test recommended for every private well.
- Includes the two most important tests to perform routinely on a well (bacteria and nitrate).
Note: Nitrate + nitrite (N) results from the Homeowner Package may not be used to determine or evaluate compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Contact the lab for assistance if compliance results are needed.
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This package includes the following parameters:
- Coliform Bacteria: This test determines the sanitary condition of a water supply. Indicates whether or not the water supply is bacteriologically safe. This is the most important test to perform regularly on a private water system. If coliform bacteria are detected, the sample will also be checked for E. coli bacteria. Priority analysis is available.
- Nitrate plus Nitrite-Nitrogen: Nitrate is the most widespread chemical contaminant in Wisconsin’s groundwater. Elevated levels may serve as an indicator of other potential contaminants, such as pesticides or chemicals associated with septic system effluent. The safe drinking water standard for nitrate-nitrogen is 10 mg/L. Priority analysis is available.
- pH: Measure of relative acidity of the water. Useful in assessing the corrosivity of water to plumbing.
- Alkalinity: Amount of bicarbonate, the major anion in water, related to pH and corrosion.
- Hardness: Measure of the amount of calcium and magnesium. Important if water softening is considered.
- Chloride: An indicator ion that, if found in elevated concentrations, points to potential contamination from septic systems, fertilizer, landfills, or road salt.
- Conductivity: Measure of total dissolved minerals in water. Changes in conductivity or an unusual ratio of conductivity to hardness may signal the presence of contaminants.
- Corrosivity Index: A calculation of the corrosivity index is performed to determine the tendency of plumbing to corrode or for lime to deposit in your plumbing.
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Consider adding the metals package if you have not previously tested for arsenic, manganese, and lead.
CHOOSE THIS OPTION IF:
- You have never had your well tested for arsenic and/or manganese; this is a good test to perform at least once on all private wells to understand the extent of common metals and minerals in your water.
- Your plumbing system contains copper and/or lead.
- You are experiencing problems with staining or taste.
- Previous test results detected the presence of arsenic.
Note: Metals results from the Standard Metals Package may not be used to determine or evaluate compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Contact the lab for assistance if compliance results are needed.
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This package includes the following parameters:
- Aluminum: Naturally occurring in Wisconsin groundwater, though concentrations vary depending on geology. There is a Wisconsin public health related groundwater standard for aluminum of 0.2oo mg/L.
- Arsenic Screen: The safe drinking water standard for arsenic in drinking water is 0.010 mg/L. The source of arsenic in groundwater is generally associated with naturally occurring arsenic in soils and mineral deposits. In rare cases, past pesticide use practices (especially those associated with cherry orchards), or improper disposal of arsenic-containing chemicals may also be potential sources.
- Calcium: Naturally occurs in groundwater where soils or underground rock formations contain limestone or dolomite. Essential to bone and tooth development, blood clotting, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and may reduce heart disease. Along with magnesium, causes hard water.
- Copper: Not naturally found in significant concentrations in Wisconsin’s groundwater. Elevated levels of copper are generally caused by corrosion of copper plumbing. Acidic or corrosive water exacerbates corrosion of copper plumbing. In small amounts, copper aids in iron utilization in the body. Levels above 1.3 mg/L exceed the safe drinking water standard.
- Iron: Naturally occurring mineral which causes taste problems and discoloration of water. Important component of blood hemoglobin.
- Lead Screen: The safe drinking water standard for lead in drinking water is 0.015 mg/L. Not naturally occurring in Wisconsin groundwater. Found in water supplies with lead solder or pipes–especially when water is corrosive or soft.
- Magnesium: Naturally occurs in Wisconsin groundwater. Along with calcium, causes hard water.
- Manganese: Naturally occurring in some groundwater. Elevated levels of manganese in groundwater can result in aesthetic problems. Black precipitates (specks or staining) are often a result of manganese. There is a health advisory limit of 0.300 mg/L manganese. Problematic levels of manganese and iron are sometimes found together since both are associated with low levels of oxygen in groundwater.
- Potassium: Levels greater than 10 mg/L may indicate contamination from animal waste or may come from water softeners that use potassium chloride.
- Sodium: Water supplies that are softened will contain elevated levels of sodium if sodium chloride is used as the softener salt. Elevated levels in groundwater may be the result of road salt or septic system effluent.
- Strontium: Naturally occurring mineral present in Wisconsin groundwater. Strontium concentrations in groundwater vary across Wisconsin based on geology. It is recommended to avoid drinking water with concentrations of strontium equal to or greater than 1.50 mg/L.
- Sulfur as Sulfate: Naturally occurring in some groundwater. Concentrations above 250 mg/L may cause a laxative effect, especially in people not accustomed to drinking the water. Sulfate is not the same as hydrogen sulfide which causes the rotten egg odor, although both contain the element sulfur.
- Uranium Screen: Uranium is a naturally occurring element present in groundwater, typically at low levels, due to geologic deposits. The safe drinking water standard for uranium in drinking water is 0.030 mg/L.
- Zinc: Concentrations greater than 1 mg/L usually occur only when corrosive water is distributed through galvanized pipes, or in zinc mining areas.
CHOOSE THIS OPTION IF:
- Your well is within a 1/4 mile of agricultural fields where corn has been grown.
- Previous tests indicated elevated nitrate likely associated with fertilizer use.
The DACT screen detects agricultural chemicals called triazines. Triazines are a class of herbicides that include atrazine, simazine, and cyanazine. A DACT screen is an approximate test that is performed as an inexpensive alternative to a more detailed test. It is a useful first step in determining whether your water is being impacted by pesticides and below health-based standards for triazine-type herbicides.
CHOOSE THIS OPTION IF:
- You have reason to be concerned about specific pesticides other than or in addition to DACT and/or CAAMs.
We recommend homeowners have their water tested for nitrate (see “Homeowner Package”) before choosing this test. These pesticides are commonly used in Wisconsin agriculture but do not cover all pesticides.
This package includes the following parameters:
- Acetochlor
- Atrazine
- De-ethyl Atrizine
- De-isoprophyl Atrazine
- Alachlor (Lasso)
- Chlorpyrifos
- Cyanazine (Bladex)
- Dimethinamid
- Dyfonate
- EPTC (Eptam)
- Ethafluralin
- Metolachlor (Dual)
- Metribuzin (Sencor)
- Pendimethalin
- Phorate
- Prometon
- Propachlor
- Propazine
- Simazine
- Terbufos
- Trifluralin
Consult with a specialist before selecting this package.
CHOOSE THIS OPTION IF:
- You are a well driller installing a new well.
This package includes the following parameters:
- Compliance Bacteria (Compliance bacteria samples can be no more than 24 hours old)
- Compliance Nitrate + Nitrite (requires a different bottle than that used for the Homeowner Package)
Meets NR812 monitoring requirements. Agency reporting included.
CHOOSE THIS OPTION IF:
- Agency reporting is necessary for Nitrate + Nitrite.
Note: This test requires a different bottle than that used for the Homeowner Package.
Meets NR809 and NR812 monitoring requirements. Agency reporting included.
CHOOSE THIS OPTION IF:
- A previous Arsenic Screen was high (above 0.010 mg/L or 10 ppb).
Note: Arsenic results from the Low-Level Arsenic test may not be used to determine or evaluate compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Contact the lab for assistance if compliance results are needed.
How to Collect Your Water Sample
Well Sampling 101
Watch the video to learn how to collect a well water sample for our most common test packages:
- Homeowner Package
- Metals Package
- DACT Screen
Still have questions? Give us a call!
Frequently Asked Questions
We are located on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus in the Daniel Trainer Natural Resources Building, room 200. Follow the signs for “water testing” inside of the building.
Our address is:
800 Reserve Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Where you take your water sample from depends on what you would like to know!
If you would like to know the quality of the raw water coming straight from your well, take your sample from an untreated source. This can be particularly helpful if you have never tested your well water before and would like to know if you need any kind of treatment.
Untreated sources may be:
- Cold-water kitchen faucet
- These are typically untreated, though check with your plumber if you are unsure
- Pressure tank
- Outdoor faucets
If you would like to test the effectiveness of a treatment system, such as a water softener, neutralizer, or reverse osmosis system, take your sample after, or “down the line” from the treatment system you would like to evaluate.
Different tests take different amounts of time to analyze, so your test results may not always arrive at the same time.
- Homeowner and Metals Packages: Approximately 10 business days
- DACT Screen, Pesticides, Pharmaceuticals, and Fluoride: 3-4 weeks
- Bacteria: If done as a standalone test, about 1 week. If your sample tests positive for E. coli, we will let you know right away.
Payment for analytical services is requested at the time of sample acceptance. The WEAL accepts cash, check, or credit card payment. If you are shipping your samples, please include a check made payable to WEAL with the sample or call the office at 715-346-3209 for other payment/billing options.
Water tests can be ordered through our website, by calling the office, or by stopping by in person.
When you order a water test, we will always mail bottles to you at no cost.
Yes! We have many clients from all over. We will mail sample bottles to you at no cost. Samples can be returned to the lab via mail or in person.
If you have a bacteria sample, please note our bacteria sample receipt policy:
- Bacteria samples are NOT accepted on Fridays.
- Bacteria samples are NOT accepted before or on major holidays.
- Bacteria samples MUST be received within 40 hours after collection to process properly.
- Bacteria samples from new wells and for compliance work MUST be received within 24 hours after collection to process properly.
- Bacteria samples CANNOT be frozen or have ice in the sample bottle.
- If you ship your sample to the lab, we suggest collecting your sample on a Monday or Tuesday around 2:00 pm and shipping to the lab using an OVERNIGHT shipping option (Spee-Dee Delivery, UPS, FedEx, or USPS). This ensures your sample will be viable when we receive it.
- Samples can be hand-delivered to the lab. Dropoff hours are 7:45 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Thursday.
If sampling ONLY for a Metals Package and/or DACT screen, samples are less time-sensitive and do not need to be rushed to the lab. Non-bacteria samples can be accepted Monday through Friday.
Please call us if you have questions about collecting and returning your sample to us.
No. We ask that you only use bottles provided to you by the Water and Environmental Analysis Lab (WEAL). Our bottles go through a rigorous quality control process and are free of any external contamination.
Yes! It is recommended to test your private well water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrate.
Interpretive Guides for Common Test Packages